The United States Basketball League (USBL) was a professional men's spring basketball league. The league was formed in 1985 and ceased operations in 2008.

History

The United States Basketball League was founded in December 1984 by Daniel T. Meisenheimer, from Connecticut. The league management initially planned to schedule about 40 games during the summer, and started to look for new teams to join the newly formed USBL. Former NBA referee Richie Powers was named the league's vice president and director of operations, while Earl Monroe was the commissioner. Meisenheimer introduced a salary cap of $250,000 per team. The first USBL champions were the Springfield Fame, that had ended the regular season leading the league with a 19–6 record. Hot Rod Williams and Tracy Jackson were named co-MVPs, while Manute Bol led the league both in rebounds per game (14.2) and blocks per game (11.2).

In 1986 two teams, the Long Island Knights and the Rhode Island Gulls, left the league, and three new franchises joined the USBL: the Gold Coast Stingrays from West Palm Beach, Florida, the Staten Island Stallions from Staten Island, New York and the Tampa Bay Flash from Tampa, Florida. In the same year Nancy Lieberman joined the Springfield Fame and became the first female player to play in a professional league with men. Lieberman debuted in June 1986 in a game against the Staten Island Stallions, playing 3 minutes during which she did not score. On June 13, 1987, Richardson and Lieberman played against each other during a game between the Miami Tropics and the Long Island Knights: Richardson scored 3 points while Lieberman scored 2.

The top teams of the regular season advanced to the USBL Postseason Festival, a playoffs system that saw teams play single elimination games in order to advance to the final game. On three occasions (1985, 1986 and 1990) no postseason was held, and the team with the best regular season record won the championship. In 1989 the USBL ceased operations temporarily in order to improve its organization, and resumed the following season, in 1990.

Salary cap

In 1985, the league introduced a salary cap of $250,000 per team. In 1992, the salary cap was $40,000, with rookies being paid $315 per week. In 1998 it had remained the same, as each franchise had a regular season salary cap of $40,000, which meant that an average player earned roughly around $400 a week during the 2-month season of the league (rosters of 10 players).

As reported in 2000, the annual salary cap of the league was $47,500 for a franchise, for all its players. No player was allowed to receive more than $1,000 per week as salary.

USBL Draft

thumb|200px|[[R. T. Guinn was the first pick in 2004.]]

First picks are as below:

USBL 1st overall picks

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Year

!Player

!USBL pick by

!College

|-

|1985

| Jeff Allen

|Connecticut Skyhawks

|St. John's Red Storm

|-

|1986

| John "Hot Rod" Williams

|Rhode Island Gulls

|Tulane Green Wave

|-

|1992

| Tony Smith

|New Jersey Jammers

|Pfeiffer Falcons

|-

|1995

| Arthur Agee

|Florida Sharks

|Arkansas State Red Wolves

|-

|1996

| Stephon Marbury

|Long Island Surf

|Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

|-

|1998

| Doug Gottlieb

|Oklahoma Storm

|Oklahoma State Cowboys

|-

|2000

| Detric Golden

|Gulf Coast SunDogs

|Troy Trojans

|-

|2001

| George Evans

|Maryland Mustangs

|George Mason Patriots

|-

|2002

| John Linehan

|St. Joseph Express

|Providence Friars

|-

|2003

| Bingo Merriex

|Texas Rim Rockers

|TCU Horned Frogs

|-

|2004

| R. T. Guinn

|Cedar Rapids River Raiders

|Baylor Bears

|-

|2005

| Jared Homan

|Nebraska Cranes

|Iowa State Cyclones

|-

|2006

| Gerry McNamara

|NEPA Breakers

|Syracuse Orange

|-

|2007

| Michael Haddix

|Albany Patroons

|Siena Saints

|-

|}

USBL Champions

Source:nbahoopsonline.com

Championship finals

Teams played a single championship game at the end of the playoffs to name the league champions

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Year

!Champion

!Score

!Runner-up

!Regular season champion

!Finals MVP

!Winning coach

!Notes

|-

|1985

|Springfield Fame

| -

| New Jersey Jammers

|Springfield Fame

| -

| Gerald Oliver

| Springfield Fame record (19–6), <br>won regular season, no playoffs

|-

|1986

|Tampa Bay Flash

| -

| Springfield Fame

|Tampa Bay Flash

| -

| Gordon Gibbons

| Tampa Bay Flash record (22–8), <br>won regular season, no playoffs

|-

|1987

|Miami Tropics

| 103 - 99

| Rhode Island Gulls

| Tampa Bay Stars

| World B. Free

| Sam Worthen

|

|-

|1988

|New Haven Skyhawks

| 134 - 126

| Palm Beach Stingrays

|Jacksonville Hooters

| Bobby Parks

| Murray Knox

|

|-

|1990

|Jacksonville Hooters

| -

| New Haven Skyhawks

|Jacksonville Hooters

|N/A

| Rex Morgan

| Jacksonville Hooters record (15–1), <br>won regular season, no playoffs

|-

|1991

|Philadelphia Spirit

| 110 - 108

|Miami Tropics

|Philadelphia Spirit

| Paul Graham

| Bill Lange

|

|-

|1992

|Miami Tropics

| 116 - 116

| Philadelphia Spirit

|Philadelphia Spirit

| Duane Washington

| John Lucas

|

|-

|1993

|Miami Tropics (3)

| 139 - 127

| Westchester Stallions

|Daytona Beach Hooters

| Ken Bannister

| John Lucas (2)

|

|-

|1994

|Jacksonville Hooters (2)

| 117 - 109

| Atlanta Trojans

|Mississippi Coast Gamblers

| Fred Lewis

| Rex Morgan (2)

|

|-

|1995

|Florida Sharks

| 109 - 104

| Atlanta Trojans

|Florida Sharks

| Charles Smith

| Eric Musselman

|

|-

|1996

|Florida Sharks (2)

| 118 - 115

| Atlantic City Seagulls

| Atlantic City Seagulls

| Charles Smith (2)

| Eric Musselman (2)

|

|-

|1997

|Atlantic City Seagulls

| 114 - 112

| Long Island Surf

| Atlantic City Seagulls

| Mark Baker,<br> Brent Scott

| Kevin Mackey

|

|-

|1998

|Atlantic City Seagulls

| 100 - 96

| Long Island Surf

| Atlantic City Seagulls

| Adrian Griffin

| Kevin Mackey

|

|-

|1999

|Atlantic City Seagulls (3)

| 83 - 77

| Connecticut Skyhawks

| Atlantic City Seagulls

| Adrian Griffin (2)

| Kevin Mackey (3)

|

|-

|2000

|Dodge City Legend

| 89 - 86

| Oklahoma Storm

|Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs

| Artie Griffin

| Kent Davidson

|

|-

|2001

|Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs

| 100 - 91

| Dodge City Legend

|Maryland Mustangs

| Frantz Pierre-Louis, <br> Ace Custis

| Darryl Dawkins

|

|-

|2002

|Oklahoma Storm

| 122 - 109

| Kansas Cagerz

|Brevard Blue Ducks

| Ira Clark

| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

|

|-

|2003

|Dodge City Legend

| 97 - 96

| Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs

|Westchester Wildfire

| Darrin Hancock

| Cliff Levingston

|

|-

|2004

|Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs (2)

| 118 - 116

| Brooklyn Kings

|Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs

| Marcus Fleming

| Darryl Dawkins (2)

|

|-

|2005

|Dodge City Legend (3)

| 97 - 84

| Kansas Cagerz

| Brooklyn Kings

| Jermaine Boyette

| Dale Osbourne

|

|-

|2006

|Nebraska Cranes

| 100 - 92

| Dodge City Legend

| Brooklyn Kings

| Alex Sanders

| Brian Walsh

|

|-

|2007

|Kansas Cagerz

| 95 - 92

| Brooklyn Kings

| Dodge City Legend

| Nate Johnson

| Francis Flax

|

|-

|}

  • In 1989 and 2008, USBL suspended operations.

Division champions

Northern - Southern era

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Year

!Northern

!Winning coach

!Southern

!Winning coach

!Mid-Atlantic Division

!Winning coach

|-

|1991

|Philadelphia Spirit

| Bill Lange

|Miami Tropics

| John Lucas

|-

|1992

|Philadelphia Spirit (2)

| Bill Lange (2)

|Miami Tropics (2)

| John Lucas (2)

|-

|1996

| Atlantic City Seagulls

| Mike Gatley

|Florida Sharks

| Eric Musselman

|-

|1997

| Atlantic City Seagulls (2)

| Kevin Mackey

| Atlanta Trojans

| Derek Howard

|-

|1998

|Long Island Surf

| James Ryans

| Jacksonville Barracudas

| Rex Morgan

| Atlantic City Seagulls

| Kevin Mackey

|-

|1999

|Connecticut Skyhawks

| Roy Hodge

| Kansas Cagerz

| Tom Hughes

| Atlantic City Seagulls (2)

| Kevin Mackey

|-

|2000

| Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs

| Darryl Dawkins

| Dodge City Legend

| Kent Davidson

|-

|2001

| Maryland Mustangs

| Robert Parish

| Oklahoma Storm

| Bryan Gates

|-

|}

Eastern - Mid-West era

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Year

!Eastern

!Winning coach

!Mid-West

!Winning coach

|-

|2002

|Brevard Blue Ducks

| Harvey Grant

| Kansas Cagerz

| Francis Flax

|-

|2003

| Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs

| Darryl Dawkins

| Dodge City Legend

| Cliff Levingston

|-

|2004

| Brooklyn Kings

| Ken Charles

| Dodge City Legend (2)

| Dale Osbourne

|-

|2005

| Brooklyn Kings

| Ken Charles

| Oklahoma Storm

| Bryan Gates

|-

|2006

| Brooklyn Kings (3)

| Ken Charles (3)

| Oklahoma Storm (2)

| Bryan Gates (2)

|-

|}

  • Division groups started in 1991. There were not held (one single group) between 1993 and 1995 and in 2007. The Mid-Atlantic Division lasted for only two seasons (1998 and 1999).

Complete team list

thumb|200px|Locations of final USBL teams and divisions

{|

|-

|valign="top"|

  • Albany Patroons (2006–07)
  • Atlanta Trojans (1991–99, as Atlanta Eagles in 1991–93)
  • Atlantic City Seagulls (1996–2001)
  • Brevard Blue Ducks (1988, 1990–2004, as Jacksonville Hooters in 1988, 1990–92; as Daytona Beach Hooters in 1993; as Jacksonville Hooters in 1994; as Jacksonville Shooters in 1995; as Jacksonville Barracudas in 1996–98; as Gulf Coast SunDogs in 1999–2000; as Lakeland Blue Ducks in 2001; back to being the Brevard Blue Ducks in 2002–2004)
  • Brooklyn Kings (1999–2007)
  • Camden Power (1997–98, as Philadelphia Power in 1997)
  • Carolina Cardinals (1996)
  • Cedar Rapids River Raiders (2004)
  • Connecticut Skyhawks (1985, 1988, 1990–2001, as Connecticut Colonels in 1985; as New Haven Skyhawks in 1988, 1990–92)
  • Delaware Stars (2007)
  • Dodge City Legend (2000–2007)
  • Empire State Stallions (1991)
  • Florence Flyers
  • Florida Sea Dragons (2000–02, as Tampa Bay Windjammers in 1996–99)
  • Florida Sharks (1995–97)
  • Gary Steelheads (2007)
  • Jackson Jackals (1995)
  • Jackson Wildcats (2007), as Adirondack Wildcats (2002–04)
  • Jersey Shore Bucs (1988)
  • Jersey Turnpikes (1995)
  • Kansas Cagerz (1998–2007, as Columbus Cagerz in 1998)
  • Long Island Surf (1985, 1987–88, 1991–2001, as Long Island Knights in 1985, 1987–88)
  • Maryland Mustangs (2001)
  • Memphis Fire (1994–95)
  • Miami Tropics (1987–88, 1991–1995)
  • Mississippi Coast Gamblers (1994)
  • Nebraska Cranes (2005–2006)

| style="width:50%; vertical-align:top;"|

  • New Hampshire Thunder Loons (1996–99)
  • New Jersey Jammers (1985–88, 1992, as Jersey Jammers in 1986–88)
  • New Jersey Flyers (2004–05, as Florence Flyers in 2004)
  • New Jersey Meteors (2007)
  • New Jersey ShoreCats (1998–2001)
  • New York Whitecaps (1991)
  • Northeast Pennsylvania Breakers (2006–2007)
  • Oklahoma Storm (2000–2007)
  • Palm Beach Stingrays (1986–88, 1990, 1992–94, as Gold Coast Stingrays in 1986; as West Palm Beach Stingrays in 1987)
  • Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs (1999–2006)
  • Philadelphia Aces (1985–88, 1990 as Wildwood Aces in 1985–86)
  • Philadelphia Spirit (1991–92)
  • Portland Wave (1996–97, as Portland Mountain Cats in 1996)
  • Raleigh Cougars (1997–99)
  • Rhode Island Gulls (1985, 1987)
  • Saint Joseph Express (2002, 2004)
  • Saint Louis Skyhawks (2002–2004)
  • Springfield Fame (1985–86)
  • Staten Island Stallions (1986–87)
  • Suncoast Sunblasters (1991)
  • Tampa Bay Stars (1986–87, as Tampa Bay Flash in 1986)
  • Tampa Bay Sunblasters (1992)
  • Texas Rim Rockers (2003–04), no relationship to the American Basketball Association (2000-present) team of the same name
  • Treasure Coast Tropics (1996, as Miami Tropics in 1987–88, 1991–95)
  • Tulsa Tough-Necks (1999–2000)
  • Washington Congressionals (1998–2000)
  • Westchester Golden Apples (1985–86)
  • Westchester Kings (1997)
  • Westchester Stallions (1993–94)
  • Westchester Wildfire (2003–05)

|}

League awards

Player of the Year

thumb|200px|[[Adrian Griffin was the player of the year in 1999.]]

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Year

!Player

!Team

!Reference

|-

|rowspan="2"|1985

| John "Hot Rod" Williams

|Rhode Island Gulls

|

|-

| Tracy Jackson

|Springfield Flame

|

|-

|1986

| Don Collins

|Tampa Bay Flash

|

|-

|1987

| Don Collins (2)

|Tampa Bay Stars

|

|-

|1988

| Lewis Lloyd

|Philadelphia Aces

|

|-

|1989

|colspan="3"|League suspends operations for the 1989 season

|-

|1990

| Jerry Johnson

|Jacksonville Hooters

|

|-

|1991

| Michael Anderson

|Philadelphia Spirit

|

|-

|1992

| Roy Tarpley

|rowspan="2"|Miami Tropics

|

|-

|1993

| Ken Bannister

|

|-

|1994

| Stan Rose

|Atlanta Trojans

|

|-

|1995

| Charles Smith

|Florida Sharks

|

|-

|1996

| Brent Scott

|Portland Mountain Cats

|

|-

|1997

| Dennis Edwards

|Florida Sharks

|

|-

|1998

| Curt Smith

|Washington Congressionals

|

|-

|1999

| Adrian Griffin

|Atlantic City Seagulls

|

|-

|2000

| Sean Colson

|Dodge City Legend

|

|-

|2001

| Jason Lampa

|Brooklyn Kings

|

|-

|2002

| Kwan Johnson

|Brevard Blue Ducks

|

|-

|2003

| Albert Mouring

|Oklahoma Storm

|

|-

|2004

| Chudney Gray

|Brooklyn Kings

|

|-

|2005

| Nate Johnson

|Kansas Cagerz

|

|-

|2006

| Quannas White

|Oklahoma Storm

|

|-

|2007

| Anthony Richardson

|Kansas Cagerz

|

|}

Postseason Festival MVP

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Year

!Player

!Team

!Reference

|-

|1987

| World B. Free

|Miami Tropics

|

|-

|1988

| Bobby Parks

|New Haven Skyhawks

|

|-

|1989

|colspan="3"|League suspends operations for 1989 season

|-

|1990

|

|

|

|-

|1991

| Paul Graham

|Philadelphia Spirit

|

|-

|1992

| Duane Washington

|rowspan="2"|Miami Tropics

|

|-

|1993

| Ken Bannister

|

|-

|1994

| Fred Lewis

|Jacksonville Hooters

|

|-

|1995

| Charles Smith

|rowspan="2"|Florida Sharks

|

|-

|1996

| Charles Smith (2)

|

|-

|rowspan="2"|1997

| Mark Baker

|rowspan="4"|Atlantic City Seagulls

|

|-

| Brent Scott

|

|-

|1998

| Adrian Griffin

|

|-

|1999

| Adrian Griffin (2)

|

|-

|2000

|

|

|

|-

|rowspan="2"|2001

| Frantz Pierre-Louis

|rowspan="2"|Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs

|

|-

| Ace Custis

|

|-

|2002

| Joe Ira Clark

|Oklahoma Storm

|

|-

|2007

| Nate Johnson

|Kansas Cagerz

|

|}

Rookie of the Year

thumb|200px|[[Muggsy Bogues was the rookie of the year in 1987.]]

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Year

!Player

!Team

!Reference

|-

|1985

| John "Hot Rod" Williams

|Rhode Island Gulls

|

|-

|1986

| Marty Embry

|Jersey Jammers

|

|-

|1987

| Muggsy Bogues

|Rhode Island Gulls

|

|-

|1988

| Ricky Grace

|Jersey Shore Bucs

|

|-

|1989

|colspan="3"|League suspends operations for 1989 season

|-

|1990

| Randy Henry

|Jacksonville Hooters

|

|-

|1991

| Greg Sutton

|Empire State Stallions

|

|-

|1992

| Fred Lewis

|Jacksonville Hooters

|

|-

|1993

| Khari Jaxon

|Palm Beach Stingrays

|

|-

|1994

| Randy Carter

|rowspan="2"|Memphis Fire

|

|-

|1995

| Roger Crawford

|

|-

|1996

| Mike Lloyd

|Atlantic City Seagulls

|

|-

|1997

| Mikki Moore

|Atlanta Trojans

|

|-

|1998

| Kerry Thompson

|Tampa Bay Windjammers

|

|-

|1999

| Adrian Pledger

|New Hampshire Thunder Loons

|

|-

|2000

| Jason Lampa

|Long Island Surf

|

|-

|2001

| George Evans

|Maryland Mustangs

|

|-

|rowspan="2"|2002

| Devin Brown

|Kansas Cagerz

|rowspan="2"|

|}

Coach of the Year

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Year

!Coach

!Team

!GC

!W

!L

!Pct.

|-

|1985

| Gerald Oliver

|rowspan="2"|Springfield Flame

|

|

|

|

|-

|1986

| Henry Bibby

|

|

|

|

|-

|1987

| Gordon Gibbons

|Tampa Bay Stars

|

|

|

|

|-

|1988

| Dave Ervin

|Philadelphia Aces

|

|

|

|

|-

|1989

|colspan="6"|League suspends operations for 1989 season

|-

|1990

| Rex Morgan

|Jacksonville Hooters

|

|

|

|

|-

|1991

| Bill Lange

|Philadelphia Spirit

|

|

|

|

|-

|1992

| Al Outlaw

|Atlanta Eagles

|

|

|

|

|-

|1993

| John Lucas II

|Miami Tropics

|

|

|

|

|-

|1994

| Al Outlaw (2)

|Atlanta Trojans

|

|

|

|

|-

|1995

| Mike Mashak

|Jersey Turnpikes

|

|

|

|

|-

|1996

| Eric Musselman

|Florida Sharks

|

|

|

|

|-

|1997

| Kevin Mackey

|Atlantic City Seagulls

|

|

|

|

|-

|1998

| Ray Hodge

|Connecticut Skyhawks

|

|

|

|

|-

|rowspan="2"|1999

|Darryl Dawkins

|Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs

|

|

|

|

|-

| Kevin Mackey (2)

|Atlantic City Seagulls

|

|

|

|

|-

|2000

| Kent Davidson

|Dodge City Legend

|

|

|

|

|-

|2001

| Robert Parish

|Maryland Mustangs

|

|

|

|

|-

|rowspan="2"|2002

| Francis Flax

|Kansas Cagerz

|

|

|

|

|-

| Harvey Grant

|-

|1986

| Don Collins

|F/G

|Tampa Bay Stars

|31.8

|-

|1987

| Don Collins (2)

|F/G

|Tampa Bay Stars

|31.0

|-

|1988

| Richard Rellford

|F

|Palm Beach Stingrays

|31.4

|-

|1990

| Lewis Lloyd

|G/F

|New Haven Skyhawks

|26.8

|-

|1991

| Norris Coleman

|F

|Jacksonville Hooters

|29.3

|-

|1992

| Roy Tarpley

|C

|Miami Tropics

|32.2

|-

|1993

| Ken Bannister

|F/C

|Miami Tropics

|30.2

|-

|1994

| Mark Brisker

|G

|Jacksonville Hooters

|26.9

|-

|1995

| Jerry Reynolds

|G/F

|Atlanta Trojans

|26.3

|-

|1996

| Brent Scott

|C

|Portland Mountain Cats

|29.8

|-

|1997

| Dennis Edwards

|F

|Florida Sharks

|32.8

|-

|1998

| Ochiel Swaby

|F

|Tampa Bay Windjammers

|26.2

|-

|1999

| Mike Lloyd

|G

|Atlantic City Seagulls

|27.3

|-

|2000

| Sean Colson

|G

|Dodge City Legend

|28.2

|-

|2001

| Jermaine Walker

|C

|Lakeland Blue Ducks

|27.5

|-

|2002

| Jason Lampa

|G

|Brooklyn Kings

|25.9

|-

|2003

| Lenny Cooke

|G

|Brooklyn Kings

|28.8

|-

|2004

| Jason Lampa (2)

|G

|Brooklyn Kings

|26.7

|-

|2005

| Kareem Reid

|G

|Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs

|27.4

|-

|2006

| Brian Chase

|G

|Nebraska Cranes

|19.9

|-

|2007

| Anthony Richardson

|F

|Kansas Cagerz

|20.0

|}

Rebounding leaders

{| class="wikitable sortable"

|-

!scope="col"| Season

!scope="col"| Player

!scope="col"| Pos

!scope="col"| Team

!scope="col"| Rebounds per<br>game

|-

|1985

| Manute Bol

|C

|Rhode Island Gulls

|14.2 He became the all-time scorer with the conclusion of the 1994 USBL season with 2,949 points.

  • On June 6, 2001, Kwan Johnson who was only 13 pts short, broke his all-time record in the game Westchester Wildfire - Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs.
  • By June 21, 2005, Kwan Johnson was the USBL's All-Time (1985-2009) leading scorer overall with 3,453 points. Herman Alston is 3d on the list with 2,639 pts. Other leading scorers: Ron Matthias scored 2,293 points and he is 6th of all-time, Ken Bannister with 2,052 points is ninth (in 99 games) and Michael Lloyd is 10th with 2,031 points)
  • By June 21, 2005, Don Collins had the highest scoring average (31.4 pg), of any player scored over 1,000 pts in USBL's history.
  • By June 21, 2005, John Strickland was the All-Time leader in playoff points with 213. Michael Lloyd is second on the list as he has recorded 206 career playoff points.

All-time scorers<br>

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Rank

!Player

!Points

!Years Active

|-

|1

| Kwan Johnson

|3,453

| 1999–2005

|-

|2

| Norris Coleman

| 3,104

| 1988–1993

|-

|3

| Herman Alston

|2,639

|

|-

|}

Games leaders

  • Norris Coleman became the all-time scorrecordman in total games played with the conclusion of the 1994 USBL season with 111 points.
  • On June 6, 2001, Kwan Johnson became the All -time leader in games played with 145 breaking Norris Coleman record of 144.
  • By June 21, 2005, Kwan Johnson was the overall recordman in games played with 177 (in 8 seasons). Herman Alston had 144 games (in 7 seasons)
  • Roy Tarpley who played 16 games for the Miami Tropics in 1992, holds the record for the longest time span between seasons played (13) as he played for the Dodge City Legends in 2005.

Steals leaders

  • By June 6, 2001, Kwan Johnson was also the All-time leader in steals with 279.
  • By June 21, 2005, Johnson was overall the USBL's All-Time recordman with 316 steals. Darrell Armstrong was all-time third in steals with 259.

Assists leaders

  • By June 21, 2005, Charles Smith had 549 assists (in 46 games). Darrell Armstrong was 10th in assists with 491.

Rebounds leaders

  • By June 21, 2005, Johnny Jackson was the all-time leader in rebounds with 1,311. Andre Perry was third with 1,179.
  • Norris Coleman became the top rebounder with the conclusion of the 1994 USBL season with 891 rebounds.
  • Manute Bol (in 1985) and Anthony Mason (in 1991) hold the record for the most rebounds in a game with 28.

All-time rebounders<br>

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Rank

!Player

!Rebounds

!RPG

!Years Active

|-

|1

| Johnny Jackson

|1,311

|11.2

| 2001–2005

|-

|2

| Andre Perry

| 1,179

|11.0

| 1998–2002

|-

|}

Free throws leaders

  • By June 6, 2001, Kwan Johnson was also the All -Time Leader in free throws scoring 803 (out of 1,132).
  • By June 21, 2005, Johnson remained on top with 905 (out of 1,286).

Top scorers in a single game

Byron Strickland holds the record for most points scored in a single game.

  • 65 pts. Byron Strickland, Jersey Jammers vs Springfield Fame, 8/18/1986
  • 63 pts. Don Collins, Tampa Bay Flash vs Jersey Jammers, 8/9/1986
  • 55 pts. Norris Coleman, Jacksonville Hooters vs Philadelphia Aces, 6/13/1988
  • 54 pts. Martin Clark, Rhode Island Gulls vs Long Island Knights, 7/10/1985
  • 54 pts. Steve Gilbert, Jacksonville Shooters vs Memphis Fire, 6/28/1995
  • 53 pts. Lenny Cooke, Brooklyn Kings vs Adirondack Wildcats, 6/22/2003
  • 51 pts. Stewart Granger, Wildwood Aces vs Jersey Jammers, 7/16/1986
  • 51 pts. Lewis Lloyd, Philadelphia Spirit vs Palm Beach Stingrays, 7/22/1988
  • 51 pts. Adrian Griffin, Atlantic City Seagulls vs Pennsylvania Valleydawgs, 5/22/1999
  • 50 pts. Martin Clark, Rhode Island Gulls vs Long Island Knights, 7/10/1985
  • 49 pts. Cedric Henderson, Jacksonville Hooters 155-127 at Long Island Knights, at SUNY-Stony Brook, 6/20/1988
  • 49 pts. Dennis Edwards, Florida Sharks vs Jacksonville Barracudas, 6/8/1997
  • 49 pts. Mike Lloyd, Atlantic City Seagulls vs Washington Congressionals, 5/20/1999
  • 49 pts. Devin Brown, Kansas Cagerz vs Adirondack Wildcats, 6/28/2002 USBL Tournament Semi-Finals at Enid, Okla.
  • 49 pts. Bingo Merriex, Texas Rim Rockers vs Oklahoma Storm, 5/16/2003
  • 48 pts. Mark Davis, Long Island Knights vs Staten Island Stallions, 7/17/1987
  • 48 pts. Ken Bannister, Miami Tropics vs Long Island Surf, 6/12/1993
  • 47 pts. Roy Tarpley, Miami Tropics vs Jacksonville Hooters, 7/21/1992 (24 reb.)
  • 47 pts. Mark Brisker, Daytona Beach Hooters vs Connecticut Skyhawks, 6/29/1993
  • 47 pts. Duane Simpkins, Kansas Cagerz vs Adirondack Wildcats, 6/28/2002 USBL Tournament Semi-Finals at Mark Price Arena, Enid, Oklahoma
  • 47 pts. Lenny Cooke, Brooklyn Kings vs Brevard Blue Ducks, 6/17/2003 at L.I.U. Schwartz Center

All Star Game

thumb|180px|[[Micheal Ray Richardson|Micheal Sugar Ray Richardson was selected for the USBL All-Stars in the 1987 edition.]]

The first edition was held in 1985 at Springfield Civic Center in front of 5,093 fans. Springfield Fame beat the USBL All-Stars, 87-75, in league's inaugural all-star game in 1985. Michael Adams with 18 points and 7 steals was the MVP. The 1985 All-Star team featured Manute Bol, Spud Webb, and John "Hot Rod" Williams among others.

The 1986 All-Star Game also took place at the Springfield Civic Center on July 25, 1986. In the 1987 edition Rhode Island Gulls hosted the event and defeated the USBL All-Stars by 119-112. Muggsy Bogues who had just been selected 12th in the 1987 NBA Draft was the MVP. The 4th edition was hosted at Philadelphia Civic Center on June 25, 1988 and it was broadcast live at 2 pm by FNN.

The 6th All Star Game was played on June 29, in 1991 at Glens Falls, New York. Paul Graham led the All-Stars to a 132-126 victory over the Empire State Stallions and was named the MVP. Also future NBA players like Greg Sutton and Keith "Mister" Jennings played in the 1991 edition. In total five members of the 1991 All Star Game had NBA experience: Earl Cureton, Antony Mason, Norris Coleman, Wes Matthews and Michael Anderson. The 2000 All-Star Game was held on 2 July 2000.

The league also had a USBL All-Star Travel Team. In 1991 they won the silver medal in the Winston world basketball cup (July 26–28, San Juan, Puerto Rico) under coach Rex Morgan, competeding against 6 national teams (Soviet Union, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Cuba) and KK POP 84. The USBL All-Stars lost to Puerto Rico in the final in front of 12,000 fans.

The USBL All-Stars also played at the 1992 Puerto Rico invitational tournament (June 17–22).

Notable USBL All-Stars

  • Sugar Ray Richardson (1987)
  • Norris Coleman (1987, 1988, 1991, 1992)
  • Chuck Nevitt (1991)
  • Antony Mason (1991)
  • Richard Rellford (1987)
  • Mitchell Wiggins (1987)
  • Michael Brooks (1987)
  • Dan Trant (1985)
  • Ron Crevier (1985)
  • Stewart Granger (1987)
  • Larry Lawrence (1985)
  • John "Hot Rod" Williams (1985)
  • Manute Bol (1985)
  • Roy Tarpley (1992)
  • Muggsy Bogues (1987)
  • Don Collins (1987)
  • Eddie Lee Wilkins (1987)
  • World B. Free (1987)

Anniversary teams

15th anniversary team

In 2001 the USBL asked its fans to vote online for a USBL "All-15 Team", to celebrate the league's 15th anniversary. The USBL finally presented 19 players.

Players

An alphabetical listing of 19 voted players is as follows:

  • Michael Adams - guard
  • Herman Alston - guard
  • Michael Anderson - guard
  • Darrell Armstrong - guard
  • Tyrone Bogues - guard
  • Manute Bol - center
  • Lloyd Daniels - forward
  • Richard Dumas - forward
  • Dennis Edwards - forward
  • Adrian Griffin - guard
  • Avery Johnson - guard
  • Fred Lewis - forward
  • Michael Lloyd - guard
  • Anthony Mason - forward
  • Charles Smith - guard
  • John Strickland - forward
  • Roy Tarpley - center
  • Jermaine Walker - center
  • John "Hot Rod" Williams - center

20th anniversary team

thumb|180px|[[Manute Bol made both the anniversary teams.]]

On 21 July 2005, the league announced the players of its "Top 20 and Beyond Anniversary Team" were chosen by a vote of executives, coaches, and administrators that had served over the years in the USBL.

Players

An alphabetical listing of 20 voted players is as follows:

  • Michael Adams - guard
  • Herman Alston - guard
  • Darrell Armstrong - guard
  • Ken Bannister - forward
  • Tyrone Bogues - guard
  • Manute Bol - center
  • Don Collins - forward
  • Adrian Griffin - guard
  • Johnny Jackson - forward
  • Avery Johnson - guard
  • Kwan Johnson - guard
  • Jason Lampa - guard
  • Michael Lloyd - guard
  • Anthony Mason - forward
  • Andre Perry - forward
  • Brent Scott - forward
  • Charles Smith - guard
  • John Strickland - forward
  • Roy Tarpley - center
  • John "Hot Rod" Williams - center

Honorable mention by USBL (2005):

  • Chris Childs - Spent two years with the Miami Tropics and then a long NBA career.
  • Norris Coleman - Second All-Time leading scorer in the USBL.
  • Lloyd Daniels - "Sweet Pea" first showed the world his talents in the USBL.
  • Richard Dumas - Proved that his troubles were behind him with the 1992 Miami Tropics.
  • Dennis Edwards - The 1998 Player of the Year.
  • Mario Elie - A short stint in 1987 was parlayed into a 12 year NBA career.
  • Darrin Hancock - Is one of only two players with 3 USBL Championship Rings.
  • Damon Jones - The Miami Heat guard played on a talented 1998 Jacksonville squad.
  • Tim Legler - The ESPN analyst played 4 great seasons with the Philadelphia franchise.
  • Sam Mitchell - Toronto Raptors Head Coach played two season in Westchester in 1985-85.
  • Kareem Reid - Known as "The Best Kept Secret".
  • Lazarus Sims - Known as "Z".
  • Curt Smith - The 1998 Player of the Year.
  • Jermaine Walker - A scoring force for 5 seasons for Rex Morgan's coached teams.
  • Spud Webb - Set the stage for Arkansas Little men becoming a force in the NBA.

Coaches

  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  • Ken Charles
  • Darryl Dawkins
  • Francis Flax
  • Gordon Gibbons
  • Ray Hodge
  • Cliff Levingston
  • John Lucas
  • Rex Morgan
  • Eric Musselman
  • Gerald Oliver

Notable past players

Source

Players by country

USA

  • 20px Michael Adams (Springfield Fame)
  • 20px Michael Anderson (Philadelphia Aces, Philadelphia Spirit)
  • 20px Darrell Armstrong (Atlanta Trojans)
  • 20px Raja Bell (Tampa Bay Windjammers)
  • 20px Henry Bibby (Springfield Fame)
  • 20px Mark Blount (Atlantic City Seagulls, New Jersey Shorecats)
  • 20px Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues (Rhode Island Gulls)
  • 20px Devin Brown (Kansas Cagerz)
  • 20px Chris Childs (Miami Tropics)
  • 20px Lloyd Daniels (Miami Tropics)
  • 20px Mark Davis (Long Island Knights)
  • 20px Waliyy Dixon (Atlantic City Seagulls)
  • 20px Richard Dumas (Miami Tropics)
  • 20px Mario Elie (Miami Tropics)
  • 20px LeRon Ellis (Connecticut Skyhawks)
  • 20px World B. Free (Miami Tropics)
  • 20px Doug Gottlieb (Oklahoma Storm)
  • 20px Darrin Hancock (New Jersey Shore Cats, Dodge City Legend, Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs, Kansas Cagerz)
  • 20px Antonio Harvey (Atlanta Eagles)
  • 20px Vince Hizon (Pennsylvania Valleydawgs)
  • 20px Craig Hodges (Washington Congressionals)
  • 20px Anderson Hunt (Miami Tropics)
  • 20px Mike James (Long Island Surf)
  • 20px Keith Jennings (Jacksonville Hooters)
  • 20px Avery Johnson (Palm Beach Stingrays)
  • 20px Anthony Jones (Palm Beach Stingrays)
  • 20px Roy Jones Jr. (Brevard Blue Ducks)
  • 20px Eddie Jordan (Jersey Jammers)
  • 20px R. Kelly (Atlantic City Seagulls)
  • 20px Shawn Kemp Oklahoma Storm
  • 20px Rusty LaRue (Carolina Cardinals)
  • 20px Nancy Lieberman (Springfield Fame)
  • 20px Anthony Mason (Long Island Surf)
  • 20px Cheryl Miller (Staten Island Stallions)
  • 20px Jamario Moon (Dodge City Legend, Gary Steelheads)
  • 20px Moochie Norris (Washington Congressionals)
  • 20px Kevin Ollie (Connecticut Skyhawks)
  • 20px Terrell Owens (Adirondack Wildcats)
  • 20px Victor Page (Washington Congressionals)
  • 20px Simeon Rice (Philadelphia Power)
  • 20px Lynette Richardson (Miami Tropics)
  • 20px Micheal "Sugar" Ray Richardson (Long Island Knights)
  • 20px Cliff Robinson (Miami Tropics)
  • 20px LaMont "ShowBoat" Robinson (Long Island Knights)
  • 20px Jim Rowinski (Long Island Surf)
  • 20px Shawnelle Scott (Long Island Surf)
  • 20px Charles Smith (Florida Sharks)
  • 20px Curt Smith (Washington Congressionals)
  • 20px Mark Strickland (Philadelphia Spirit, Atlanta Trojans, Atlantic City Seagulls)
  • 20px Derek Strong (Miami Tropics)
  • 20px Roy Tarpley (Miami Tropics)
  • 20px Ime Udoka (Adirondack Wildcats)
  • 20px Kelvin Upshaw (Palmbeach Stingrays)
  • 20px Chris Washburn (Miami Tropics, Westchester Stallions)
  • 20px Anthony "Spud" Webb (Rhode Island Gulls)
  • 20px Freeman Williams (Miami Tropics)
  • 20px John "Hot Rod" Williams (Rhode Island Gulls)
  • 20px Lorenzo Williams (Palmbeach Stingrays)

Rest of the world

  • 20px Bong Alvarez (Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs)
  • 20px Nate Archibald (Jersey Shore Bucs)
  • 20px Manute Bol (Rhode Island Gulls)
  • 20px Yinka Dare (New Jersey Shorecats)
  • 20px Marcelo Nicola (Long Island Surf)

International players

{| class="wikitable"

! National team

! Player

! Period

! Appearances

! Notes

|-

| USA ||Michael Brooks || 1979|| 9||

|-

| USA ||Thomas Hill || 1991|| 6||

|-

| USA ||Carl Thomas || 1995-99|| 12||

|-

| USA ||Jimmy King || 1998|| 9|| World Cup 1998

|-

| USA ||Gerard King || 1998|| 9||

|-

| USA ||Muggsy Bogues || 1986|| 10||

|-

| USA ||Mitchell Wiggins || 1982|| 9|| World Cup 1982

|-

| USA ||Mikki Moore || 1999|| 5||

|-

| USA ||Travis Williams || 1997-99|| 14||

|-

| USA ||Kermit Holmes || 1997-99|| 14||

|-

| USA || James Martin || 1999|| 4||

|-

| USA ||Todd Lindeman || 1999|| 5||

|-

| USA || Larry Lewis || 1995|| 6||

|-

| USA ||A.J. Wynder || 1995|| 6||

|-

| USA ||Kelsey Weems || 1993-95|| ||

|-

| USA || Craig Neal || 1993|| || AmeriCup 1993

|-

| USA || Eldridge Recasner || 1993|| || AmeriCup 1993

|-

| USA || Harold Ellis || 1993|| || AmeriCup 1993

|-

| USA || Jerry Holman || 2001|| || AmeriCup 2001

|-

| USA || Charles Smith || 1988|| 8||

|-

| USA || Chris Jent || 1993|| || AmeriCup 1993

|-

| USA || Adrian Griffin|| 1997|| 6||

|-

| USA || Rusty LaRue|| 1997|| 9||

|-

| USA || Kenny Brown || 2001|| || AmeriCup 2001

|-

|}

Hall of Famers

Basketball Hall of Fame

  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oklahoma Storm coach
  • Nate Archibald, New Jersey Jammers coach, Jersey Shore Bucs player
  • Walt Frazier, Staten Island Stallions owner
  • Earl Monroe, USBL commissioner 1985

Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oklahoma Storm coach
  • Nate Archibald, New Jersey Jammers coach, Jersey Shore Bucs player
  • Earl Monroe, USBL commissioner 1985
  • Robert Parish, Maryland Mustangs coach

NYC Basketball Hall of Fame

  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oklahoma Storm coach
  • World B. Free, Miami Tropics player

See also

  • All-USBL Team
  • List of developmental and minor sports leagues

References

Sources

  • USBL 1985-1991
  • History of the United States Basketball League on apbr.org
  • USBL logos
  • Official website on Wayback machine
  • Press releases from USBasket
  • United States Basketball League, Inc. registration
  • USBL History at usbasket.com